Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I'm just curious if anyone is an Expat living in another country and would care to share their experiences with the whole process. I have a ways to go until retirement, but the thought of living in another country is intriguing, especially if my buck will go a lot further than it would in the U.S.
Thank you for sharing your experiences, good or bad.
Even I'm a little over 15 years from age 65 and plan to retire at age 60. There are a lot of gaps mostly in heath care that worries me. I have contemplated moving outside for a 3-5 years.
There are few other points like distance from our children, quality of life, if needed, quality of medical treatment available in destination country.
Still a lot of variables as kids are still in school. But moving out for a few years in on radar.
Even I'm a little over 15 years from age 65 and plan to retire at age 60. There are a lot of gaps mostly in heath care that worries me. I have contemplated moving outside for a 3-5 years.
There are few other points like distance from our children, quality of life, if needed, quality of medical treatment available in destination country.
Still a lot of variables as kids are still in school. But moving out for a few years in on radar.
Hi sanshaloo,
Just curious as to where you were thinking for a destination? I've got a little longer that you as far as retiring, but I am trying to get a jump start on it and get as much information and experiences as I can. Granted, 10-15 yrs away is quite a long time and thing will more than likely change over that time, but I think being as prepared as possible is one of the key things to making it a success.
We too do have kids and that is one of the things we need to contemplate as well.
1. You need to find out whether the country you are interested in will even welcome you and what the requirements are for staying.
2. Have you traveled to the country and spent a little time? Those who have not spent time overseas often have very incorrect assumptions about cost of living at the standard of living they require.
3. Do they speak your language in the places you need it or can you learn the language of the country?
4. If the country experiences significant turmoil or dangerous political changes, can you afford to move back?
5. Make sure you consider all seasons of where you want to go. We really enjoy northern Thailand and even Bangkok until the fires start in the spring, the monsoons start, the ..........
It is doable but you need to be flexible, have enough funds, be generally healthy, be willing to live much like the locals, learn the language, and again be flexible.
If you demand or expect things like safe drinking water, traffic rules that are followed, etc. consider staying in the US.
Going on 15 years (28 years retired) and loving it. Law's are getting tougher on immigration around the world, so keep your options open and above all be flexible as suggested by the other poster. Most countries have private international schools that are well rated albeit expensive.
OP, in addition to the sites listed above to research, here are a couple more to read to get an idea of the issues you may encounter that are not necessarily obvious.
Great topic, thanks for bringing it up!
I'm also researching retirement ideas and hope to find a way to snowbird somewhere less expensive.
My concerns are safety of course, but also finding a community with like minded folks.
Any other gently ageing hippies interested in brain storming?
OP, in addition to the sites listed above to research, here are a couple more to read to get an idea of the issues you may encounter that are not necessarily obvious.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
